CHARGERS: Mathews cleared for contact, but whether he plays Sunday is uncertain

SAN DIEGO ---- Ryan Mathews has been cleared for contact. Whether the Tennessee Titans will get a crack at him Sunday afternoon is another matter.

The Chargers' star running back took a big step toward returning to game action on Thursday afternoon, when he put on pads and increased his activity level for the first time since breaking his clavicle Aug. 9.

But, to say he truly tested his surgically repaired right clavicle might be an overstatement. He was limited in practice, but the effort offered a glimmer of hope that the dynamic playmaker could return for the home opener.

Mathews desperately wanted to play Monday night at Oakland. He was denied that opportunity, and subsequently re-focused his efforts on the Titans game. There is no guarantee he'll play, and some signs to suggest he won't.

A source indicated weeks ago that the team was targeting a Sept. 23 return against the Atlanta Falcons, at the earliest. That would complete Mathews' recovery at six weeks, the standard timetable for a surgically repaired broken clavicle.

Mathews has been pushing for a faster return since the day he got hurt.

"I feel like I'm a caged lion," Mathews said. "I can't do what I want to do and produce like I know I can. I can't wait to get back out there, but you have to be patient and give it the time it needs to heal right. It's a broken bone, so I have to wait."

Whether that's a few days or another week remains unclear. So are the specifics of Thursday's activity. Running backs never get taken to the ground in practice and rarely get hit square, if ever.

"You really don't hit guys at my position," Mathews said. "Practice in pads gave me the feeling of running with them, so it's hard to tell (how getting hit is going to feel), but the trainer's believe I'm healing up fine.

"You have to work back into it slowly but surely. The game's fast, and when you're out as long as I've been, it'll take a little time to get acclimated with the speed again. It's important to start fitting in."

The Chargers have slowly eased him back into work. He participated in individual drills last week, and his activity was ramped up yet again after a weekly X-ray confirmed that his bone is healing properly.

Mathews wouldn't say it was fully healed when asked directly, a major blow to his playing prospects. Otherwise, Mathews is in perfect health. He has stayed in terrific cardiovascular shape, in order to be ready when he's cleared to play.

"I felt like it was time for me to go last week, but it's ultimately their decision," Mathews said. "Whatever they want to do. I want to play, but it's up to (Chargers coach Norv Turner). We'll take it day by day. We still have a few days left, and I'm going to be out there working. I'm happy to be back with the team."

His team really needs him back. The Chargers running game struggled mightily without him, producing a paltry 1.6-yard average on 20 carries. That trend existed in the preseason, when the running game couldn't get off the ground without its workhorse.

"I know the guys were down a little bit because they didn't get a bunch of yards, but that's how a game goes sometimes," Mathews said. "I'm proud of them, and I liked watching the guys run and block."

Mathews brings extra speed and agility to a powerful running style that averaged 4.9 yards per rush last season. He's better in pass protection and still plans to be the team's feature back.

The team wants offensive balance hard to achieve without its star, but it won't change their plan for him in a rush. Turner generally likes his players to return to full practice before playing, with tight end Antonio Gates as an exception to the rule.

Whether Mathews is allowed to compete this Sunday or next, the risk of re-injury is always present.

"At some point, he has to go play," Turner said. "In a game, anything can happen to you. There are no guarantees. We're going to get Ryan ready, and when he is ready, he's going to play."

Et cetera

TE
Antonio Gates
(ribs) missed his second straight practice with soreness, but will go Friday and is expected to play on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. NT
Antonio Garay
(ankle) was a full participant for a second straight day, paving the way for him to start Sunday. LT
Jared Gaither
(back) remains out, and recently signed G/T
Reggie Wells
worked out at tackle in individual drills, a good sign considering they have no backup at right tackle. Wells has started 10 games at the position. ... CB
Shareece Wright
(ankle) has been ruled out Sunday but will likely miss a few weeks at least.